“About Our Village Trip”

August 12, 2010 | Category: Culture, Daily Life | News by: Tsowang Lhamo, Pema Drolma (A), Tenzin Drolma (A), and Tsandang Lhamo (class VI students)

In May, four class VI students, Gen Lobsang (Director), Gen Sangpo (Tibetan teacher), Gen Ngawang (Campus Manager), Beezy Madam and Jeff Sir (two visiting volunteers from the US), and one doctor and four nurses from Lumla went to Kharteng and Phomang villages to give immunizations. On the way, the road was very dangerous. First we went to Phomang. We saw the villages are very dirty: e.g. there is cow dung near the houses, and many houseflies. They throw plastic everywhere and there are no toilets, but near some houses there is a structure made of branches and people go to toilet in a hole on the top level and below pigs eat. There are many houseflies and there was one girl sitting on a stoop, covered with houseflies and crying. Her family was gone to farm. And there was a naked girl and she was also crying and she was 9 years old. In the villages many parents have lots of children and they don’t know how to take care of them.

People drink dirty water from ponds. They don’t know that boiled is better. They don’t know what germs are. That is why they get sick. There is no doctor in the village and poor people haven’t money to buy clothes and medicine. So, many people die.

Then we went to Kharteng to give immunizations and to explain how immunization is important. We met one grandmother who was blind because when she was working in the field, a rice plant leaf poked her eye. Her eye was blue. Then we also met one baby who was with rash. His mother’s name is Dargey. Gen Lobsang said, “You wash your baby before 10 am every day with boiled water and with baby soap.” And he also said, “After 10 o’clock take the baby inside because the sun is hot.” This because after 10 o’clock there is risk of ultraviolet rays. “If you don’t have baby cream, baby powder, oil, and baby soap, tomorrow I will bring for you.”

Many people were scared of injection because some had never seen injection before and some think it is dangerous because they think it is the same as pricking oneself when they sew clothes. When we were going to immunize, many people hid in their houses. We saw a pregnant woman was hiding. She was scared of injection. Gen Lobsang said, “If you get injection, it will be good for you and for your baby.” Then she got an injection.

We learned that immunization is important to keep the body strong and healthy. So, we think we should continue to go and teach them. We know that if we were in the village we would be the same like them. Thank you for supporting.

Written by: Tsowang Lhamo, Pema Drolma (A), Tenzin Drolma (A), and Tsandang Lhamo (class VI students)

7 Comments

  1. Sabyasachi
    on August 12th, 2010
    1

    nice post!!
    thanks to all dear students..
    :)

  2. Jerry Zadow
    on August 12th, 2010
    2

    Wonderful and thank you, class VI ladies. We are so grateful for what you all do at Gatsal in class and with your families and with your being an example for the villages

    Tashi Delek, Jerry

  3. Sue
    on August 14th, 2010
    3

    Thank you all. It is so wonderful that you are sharing your knowledge with the people in the villages, making their lives better.

  4. Bruce
    on September 7th, 2011
    4

    http://www.sawyer.com/viral.htm

    I would very much like us to check out simple water purification kits such as this “bucket kit” by Sawyer. (At link, above). I know a group that is using these in Africa and they are very pleased with them. The filters are simply reverse-flushed when they fill up, so maintenance is minimal and no new parts need to be ordered. I sent the company an email asking about availability in India. Hopefully I will hear back.
    B

  5. Bruce
    on September 10th, 2011
    5

    I heard back from the Sawyer company. They have a .01 micron filter “bucket kit” which includes the filter, hoses, and drill bit and hardware for $46.19 (NGO/non-profit price) plus shipping to an American address. Two 5-gallon plastic buckets would need to be bought on-site or on the way up to whatever village these are going to. I think building and installing a few of these around Gatsal or in Lumla and surrounds would be a fine project for some of our older students. These filters have a

  6. Bruce
    on September 10th, 2011
    6

    “million gallon” guarantee….no replacement anticipated UNLESS THEY FREEZE!!! Himalaya residents take heed! Do we know of anyone who might want to carry a small duffle bag of these on their next trip to Lumla?
    Bruce

  7. Bruce
    on September 10th, 2011
    7

    I believe the shipping is extra, but could go UPS ground to that American address.

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